Method and apparatus for generating power from atmospheric pressure and vacuum

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus using atmospheric pressure and vacuum force to generate electricity performs coordinated operations of normally open (NO) valves and normally closed (NC) valves to repeatedly push water through an upward pipeline to a first vacuum chamber and let the water flow down by gravity to strike the water wheel of a hydraulic power generator installed in a second vacuum chamber to generate electricity. The method and the apparatus is not affected by local climates or geographical locations and may be installed and applied almost anywhere.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Taiwan Patent Application No.107111545, filed on Apr. 2, 2018, the entirety of which is incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for generating power.More particularly, this invention utilizes atmospheric pressure andvacuum to repeatedly push water upwards through a pipeline to a vacuumchamber and let the water flow downwards to strike and rotate ahydraulic power generator to generate electricity.

2. Description of the Related Art

Power mostly comes from burning of petroleum, liquefied gas, coal,woods, etc. Because of carbon dioxide generated from all the burning,the resultant greenhouse effect, climate changes, and other adversephenomena are increasingly threatening life on earth. As a result, ithas become a universal goal for mankind to utilize clean or greenenergy, such as solar energy, wind power, hydroelectric power,geothermal energy, tidal energy, atmospheric pressure, etc.

Solar energy is of very limited usefulness at nighttime and duringcloudy days; wind power is unavailable or unreliable during windlessdays; reservoir hydroelectric power is unreliable during dry seasons;geothermal energy and tidal energy are certainly confined to particulargeographical locations.

In view of the above-mentioned disadvantages and limitations, theinventor undertook an in-depth analysis and research and, havingendeavored for a long time and experimented repeatedly, completed thepresent invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose and objective of this invention is to generate electricityfrom atmospheric pressure, vacuum and gravity in a cost-efficient way.The invention utilizes atmospheric pressure to push water upwardsthrough a pipeline to reach a vacuum chamber at a height of up to about10.33 meters, then allows the water in the vacuum chamber to flowdownwards by gravity to strike the turbine of a hydraulic powergenerator to generate electricity. The electricity generation cycle canrepeat itself over and again using the apparatus according to theinvention.

The apparatus according to the present invention includes a main watertank containing water in communication with the atmosphere; an upwardpipeline connecting the main water tank to a first vacuum chamberpositioned at a desired height above the main water tank; a secondvacuum chamber connected below the first vacuum chamber by a firstdownward pipeline; an intermediate water tank adjoined to a lowerportion of the second vacuum chamber; a second downward pipelineconnected to the bottom side of the intermediate water tank; a returnpipeline connected between the second downward pipeline and the upwardpipeline; and an upward-extending air pressure cylinder connected to amiddle side port of the return pipeline.

Furthermore, a power generating assembly including a water wheel, aspeed increaser gearbox and a generator is installed inside the secondvacuum chamber. The return pipeline is connected to a lower side port ofthe upward pipeline through a first normally closed (NC) solenoid valveand connected to a lower end of the second downward pipeline through asecond NC solenoid valve. The return pipeline has a pair of two adjacentnormally open (NO) solenoid valves equipped in a middle portion thereof.The air pressure cylinder has a piston disposed inside and connected toan extension spring. A water supply valve is disposed at a lower end ofthe upward pipeline for allowing or stopping water flow from the mainwater tank.

By properly opening or closing the valves of the apparatus, a continuousclosed space including the first vacuum chamber, the second vacuumchamber and the air pressure cylinder may be formed within theapparatus. Then, after a vacuum is created in the continuous closedspace, and the water supply valve of the upward pipeline is turned open,the water in the main water tank will flow through the upward pipelineto the first vacuum chamber, then downward to the second vacuum chamberthrough a nozzle of the first downward pipeline, such that the waterwill strike the water wheel of the power generating assembly inside thesecond vacuum chamber to generate electricity. Afterwards, the waterwill be directed by time-controlled opening and closing operations ofthe NC solenoid valves and the NO solenoid valves to again flow throughthe upward pipeline to the first vacuum chamber and the second vacuumchamber in repetitive cycles of power generation.

By adding one or more height elevating assemblies between the upwardpipeline and the first vacuum chamber in the apparatus, the first vacuumtank can be raised to essentially any desired altitude, therebyincreasing the impact force of the down-flowing water on the water wheelfor higher power generation.

Such apparatus can run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It can beinstalled in the backyard of a house or in a factory, regardless ofwhether it is in a frigid zone, temperate zone, or torrid zone. Itgenerates electricity at low cost without any use of fossil fuel.

In order to make the purpose, effects and characteristics of thisinvention understood more specifically, preferred embodiments areillustrated below, accompanied by illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sketch showing the components of the apparatus utilizingatmospheric pressure and vacuum to generate electricity according to afirst preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sketch illustrating the apparatus with raised pressuredifferential for generating electricity according to a second preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the method using the apparatus for generatingelectricity according to the present invention, showing the pistonhaving been pushed down in the air pressure cylinder to drive water outof the air pressure cylinder into the return pipeline.

FIG. 4 illustrates the method using the apparatus for generatingelectricity according to the present invention, showing the pistonhaving been pushed up in the air pressure cylinder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus and the method for generating electricity utilizingatmospheric pressure and vacuum is illustrated by the preferredembodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

Embodiment I

A first embodiment of the apparatus and method for generatingelectricity using atmospheric pressure and vacuum (and gravity)according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Theapparatus includes: a main water tank 2 containing water incommunication with the atmosphere via an opening 3; a first vacuumchamber 1 positioned at a height (of up to 10.33 meter) above the levelof water in the main water tank 2; an upward pipeline 5 connecting themain water tank 2 to the first vacuum chamber 1; a second vacuum chamber11 positioned below the first vacuum chamber 1 and above the main watertank 2; a first downward pipeline 6 connecting the first vacuum chamber1 to the second vacuum chamber 11; a power generating assembly 7disposed inside the second vacuum chamber 11; an intermediate water tank20 adjoined to a lower portion of the second vacuum chamber 11 and influid communication with the second vacuum chamber 11; a second downwardpipeline 21 with an upper end connected to the bottom side of theintermediate water tank 20; a return pipeline 26 connected between alower end of the second downward pipeline 21 and a lower side port 27 ofthe upward pipeline 5; and an air pressure cylinder 22 with a piston 25therein and vertically connected from above to a middle side port 24 ofthe return pipeline 26.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the upward pipeline 5 is equipped witha water supply valve (e.g. a manual stopcock valve) 4 for stopping oradmitting the water flow from the main water tank 2 into the upwardpipeline 5. The water supply valve 4 is positioned lower than the lowerside port 27 of the upward pipeline 5. The lower end of the firstdownward pipeline 6 is formed as or fitted with a nozzle 13 for forminga jet stream from the water following through it.

The return pipeline 26 is connected to the lower side port 27 of theupward pipeline 5 through a first normally closed (NC) solenoid valve 17and is connected to the lower end of the second downward pipeline 21through a second NC solenoid valve 18. It is noted that each of the twoNC solenoid valves is open when energized, but closed when de-energized.Except for the section connected to the second downward pipeline 21, thereturn pipeline 26 is substantially horizontal at the level of the lowerside port 27 of the upward pipeline 5. Therefore, the second vacuumchamber 11 and the adjoining intermediate water tank 20 are both at alevel above the return pipeline 26. The return pipeline 26 is furtherequipped with a pair of two adjacent normally open (NO) solenoid valves16A,16B between the middle side port 24 and the second NC solenoid valve18 at a location near the middle side port 24. Specifically, the firstNO solenoid valve 16A is positioned closer to the middle side port 24than the second NO solenoid valve 16B. It is noted that each of the twoNO solenoid valves 16A,16B is closed when energized, but open whende-energized. Moreover, in this embodiment, the operations (i.e. openingor closing) of the first NC solenoid valve 17 and the first NO solenoidvalve 16A are controlled by a first timer-controller (not shown),whereas the operations of the second NC solenoid valve 18 and the secondNO solenoid valve 16B are controlled by a second timer-controller.

The second vacuum chamber 11 is equipped with a vacuum valve 9 (throughwhich air may be drawn out to create vacuum), a vacuum pressure gauge 8,and a liquid level probe 10 extending through the second vacuum chamber11 and into the intermediate water tank 20. The power generatingassembly 7 includes a water wheel (or turbine) 12 located in a positioncorresponding to the nozzle 13 of the first downward pipeline 6, a speedincreaser gearbox 14 connected to the water wheel (or turbine) 12, and agenerator 15 connected to the speed increaser gearbox 14. When the waterwheel 12 is struck and turned by the water stream through the nozzle 13,it rotates the speed increaser gearbox 14 and the generator 15 togenerate electricity. Generally, the generator 15 includes a stator anda rotor (not shown). Since the components and operational principle ofthe power generating assembly 7 are well known in the art, they will notbe further described. Suffice to say that a sufficient heightdifferential should be maintained between the first vacuum chamber 1 andthe second vacuum chamber 11.

For proper operation of the apparatus of the present invention, theintermediate water tank 20 has a storage capacity larger than that ofthe first vacuum chamber 1. The purpose of the liquid level probe 10 isto keep the water level in the intermediate water tank 20 from gettingtoo high by sending a warning signal or alarm when the water level inthe intermediate water tank 20 reaches the lower end of the liquid levelprobe 10.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the piston 25 inside the air pressurecylinder 22 is connected to the lower end of an extension spring 19,which is fixed at its upper end to the top inner wall of the airpressure cylinder 22. The internal space of the air pressure cylinder 22is divided into two—the upper space (on the same side as the extensionspring 19) is in communication with the atmosphere via an air hole 23disposed at a level on the same as the extension spring 25 from the andits space below the piston 25, and the lower space (under the piston 25)is in fluid communication, through the middle side port 24 of the returnpipeline 26, with the return pipeline 26, the second downward pipeline21 and the intermediate water tank 20 (when the two NO solenoid valvesand the second NC solenoid valve is 18 are set to open).

As also shown in FIG. 1, the generator 15 is connected by a cable to themain power switch 30, which is connected to sub-power switches 31, 32and 33. The electricity generated by the generator 15 can be transmittedto the main power switch 30 and then distributed to each of thesub-power switches 31, 32 and 33. In this embodiment, the sub-powerswitches 31, 32 are used to supply electricity to the power grid ordirectly to end users; the sub-power switch 32 is connected to theliquid level probe 10 and the first timer-controller and the secondtimer controller mentioned above for controlling the operations of theliquid level probe 10 and the NO solenoid valves 16A,16B and the NCsolenoid valves 17,18.

With the above-described apparatus, the method according to the presentinvention for generating electricity using atmospheric pressure andvacuum proceeds as follows:

(A) close the water supply valve 4 of the upward pipeline 5 and open thefirst NC solenoid valve 17 or the second NC solenoid valve 18 (using anexternal power source) while keeping the NO solenoid valves 16A,16B openso that a continuous closed space is formed in the apparatus, includingthe upward pipeline 5, the first vacuum chamber 1, the first downwardpipeline 6, the second vacuum chamber 11, the intermediate water tank20, the second downward pipeline 21, the return pipeline 26, and the airpressure cylinder 22;

(B) connect a vacuum pump (not shown) to the vacuum valve 9 of thesecond vacuum chamber 11 and operate the vacuum pump to create a vacuumin the second vacuum chamber 11 and throughout the continuous closedspace in the apparatus;

(C) disconnect the vacuum pump, close the vacuum valve 9, and then openthe water supply valve 4 of the upward pipeline 5, upon which water inthe main water tank 2, under air pressure through the opening 3 of themain water tank 2, flows into and fills up the continuous closed spacewhile pushing the piston 25 in the air pressure cylinder 22 upward,until the water in the intermediate water tank 20 reaches a presetlevel; in the meantime, water flowing first downward pipeline 6 strikesand turn the water wheel 12 for the generator 15 to start generatingelectricity;

(D) close the water supply valve 4, return the NC solenoid valves 17,18to their respective NC status, and set the apparatus to the auto mode:namely, set the power source for the liquid level probe 10, the firsttimer-controller and the second timer-controller to the sub-power switch32, which draws power from the generator 15;

(E) upon entering the auto mode, the apparatus proceeds with the powergeneration cycle in the following sequence:

-   -   (1) The first timer-controller energizes (i.e. supplies        electricity to) the first NC solenoid valve 17 and the first NO        solenoid valve 16A to open the first NC solenoid valve 17 and        close the first NO solenoid valve 16A. At that instant, air        follows through the air hole 23 into the air pressure cylinder        22, pushing down the piston 25 and extending the extension        spring 19 (as shown in FIG. 3), driving the water under the        piston 25 of the air pressure cylinder 22 to flow through the        middle side port 24 of the return pipeline 26, the first NC        solenoid valve 17, the first pipeline 5, the first vacuum        chamber 1, the first downward pipeline 6, and the nozzle 13,        striking and turning the water wheel 12 and therefore the        generator 15 to generate electricity, as described earlier. FIG.        3 illustrates the piston having been pushed down and the        extension having been extended in the air pressure cylinder to        drive water out of the air pressure cylinder.    -   (2) After a preset time period T1 (usually no longer than a        second), the first timer-controller de-energizes (i.e. cuts off        electricity to) the first NC solenoid valve 17 and the first NO        solenoid valve 16A to return them to their respective NC and NO        status;    -   (3) After a preset time period T2 (about 2 seconds), the second        timer-controller energizes the second NC solenoid valve 18 and        the second NO solenoid valve 16B to open the second NC solenoid        valve 18 and close the second NO solenoid valve 16B. At that        instant, water flows from the intermediate water tank 20 through        the second downward pipeline 21 and the second NC solenoid valve        18 to reach the second NO solenoid valve 16B;    -   (4) After a preset time period T3 (about 2 seconds), the second        timer-controller de-energizes the second NC solenoid valve 18        and the second NO solenoid valve 16B to return them to their        respective NC and NO status. Then, water flows through the        second NO solenoid valve 16B and the first NO solenoid valve 16A        in the direction towards the middle side port 24. As the        extension spring 19 returns to its original unextended state, it        pulls the piston 25 upwards, thereby taking water in the return        pipeline 26 to flow through the middle side port 24 into the air        pressure cylinder 22, filling up the space under the piston 25;        FIG. 4 illustrates the piston having been pushed up and the        extension spring having been restored in the air pressure        cylinder.    -   (5) Wait for a preset time period T4 (about 2 seconds) to allow        step (4) to run its course; and

(F) repeating the step (E).

According to the foregoing description, the method and apparatusaccording to the present invention can generate electricity inrepetitive cycles, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The apparatus can beinstalled in the backyard of a house or in a factory, regardless of thelocal climatic or weather conditions.

Embodiment II

When a relatively larger capacity of power generation is demanded, alarger flow rate or a larger impact force is required of the waterstream from the nozzle 13 to strike and rotate the water wheel 12. Toaccomplish this, the height of the first vacuum chamber 1 over the waterwheel 12 need be increased to increase the pressure differential, andthe upward pipeline 5 and the diameters of the first downward pipeline 6need be lengthened. Moreover, the various pipelines in the apparatus mayhave to be larger in diameter.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention for thispurpose. As shown in FIG. 2, instead of connecting the upward pipeline 5directly to the first vacuum chamber 1, the upward pipeline 5 isconnected to a height elevating assembly 40, which is in turn connectedto the first vacuum chamber 1.

The height elevating assembly 40 includes an accessory vacuum chamber1′, which is connected to the upward pipeline 5 of the apparatus shownin FIG. 1 and to a downward pipeline 21′, a second NC solenoid valve18′, a return pipeline 26′, a pair of adjacent NO solenoid valves 16′(16A′,16B), an air pressure cylinder 22′, a first NC solenoid valve 17′,and an upward pipeline 5′ (without a water supply valve), which isconnected to the first vacuum chamber 1 of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1. Essentially, the accessory vacuum chamber 1′, the downwardpipeline 21′, the second NC solenoid valve 18′, the return pipeline 26′,the pair of NO solenoid valves 16′ (16A′,16B′), the air pressurecylinder 22′, the first NC solenoid valve 17′ and the upward pipeline 5′in the second embodiment are respectively the same in structure andfunction as the first vacuum chamber 1, the second downward pipeline 21,the second NC solenoid valve 18, the return pipeline 26, the pair of NOsolenoid valves 16A,16B, the air pressure cylinder 22, the first NCsolenoid valve 17 and the upward pipeline 5 of the apparatus of thefirst embodiment described earlier, except that the upper end of thedownward pipeline 21′ is connected to the accessory vacuum chamber 1′.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first vacuum chamber 1 in this embodiment iselevated to an altitude higher than is the first vacuum chamber 1 in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1. The upward pipeline 5 and the downwardpipeline 6 in this embodiment are extended and elevated higher thantheir counterparts in FIG. 1. Therefore, the water flowing from thefirst vacuum chamber 1 through the second pipeline 6 will strike thewater wheel 12 with a larger impact force and generating moreelectricity.

FIG. 2 shows just one height elevating assembly 40, however, more thanone height elevating assembly may be provided between the upwardpipeline 5 and the first vacuum chamber 1 to increase the height of thefirst vacuum chamber 1 over the water wheel 12.

BENEFITS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing, the method and apparatus for generating electricityaccording to the present invention has the following advantages:

1. it is not limited by the geographical or climate conditions and isenvironmentally friendly; the apparatus may be installed in almost alllocations for around-the-clock operations.2. it is easily scalable by adding intermediate height elevatingassemblies and/or increasing the diameter of the pipelines to increasethe flow rate and impact force of the water to produce more electricity;3. it consumes little electricity to start its operation and cancontinue to generate electricity perpetually afterwards.

In the apparatus of the present application, water is used due to itsgreat abundance and wide availability on earth. However, other liquidscan certainly be used instead of water. In the embodiments discussedabove, the vacuum valve 9 and the vacuum pressure gauge 8 are installedon the second vacuum chamber 11 for creating a vacuum in the apparatus.Nevertheless, the vacuum valve 9 and the vacuum pressure gauge 8 may bedisposed on the first vacuum chamber 1 instead of, or in addition to,the second vacuum chamber 11.

Because a prior art search did not find any identical or similarstructure existing prior to this application. this invention meetspatentability requirements and should be patentable.

The foregoing are merely some preferred embodiments of this inventionand should not limit the claims of the present application as a result.Changes of equivalent structures which apply this invention'sinstructions and claims are all included in the claims of this inventionfor the same reason.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for generating electricity usingatmospheric pressure and vacuum, comprising: a main water tankcontaining water in communication with the atmosphere; a first vacuumchamber positioned at a predetermined height above the main water tank;an upward pipeline connecting the main water tank to a bottom side ofthe first vacuum chamber, wherein the upward pipeline is equipped with awater supply valve at a lower end thereof and has a lower side portadjacently above the water supply valve; a second vacuum chamber at aheight lower than the first vacuum chamber and higher than the mainwater tank, wherein a vacuum valve is disposed on at least one of thesecond vacuum chamber and the first vacuum chamber for drawing air outto create a vacuum therein; a first downward pipeline connecting thefirst vacuum chamber to the second vacuum chamber and having a nozzlefitted at a lower end thereof; a power generating assembly disposedwithin the second vacuum chamber; an intermediate water tank adjoined toa lower portion of the second vacuum chamber in fluid communication withthe second vacuum chamber, wherein the intermediate water tank isequipped with a liquid level probe; a second downward pipeline having anupper end connected to a bottom side of the intermediate water tank; areturn pipeline having a first end connected to the lower side port ofthe upward pipeline through a first normally closed (NC) solenoid valveand a second end connected to a lower end of the second downwardpipeline through a second NC solenoid valve, wherein a first normallyopen (NO) solenoid valve and a second NO solenoid valve are disposed ina middle portion of the return pipeline with the second NO solenoidvalve located between the second NC solenoid valve and the first NOsolenoid valve along the return pipeline; and an air pressure cylindervertically connected from above to a middle side port of the returnpipeline, wherein the air pressure cylinder includes therein a piston,an extension spring, and an air hole in communication with theatmosphere, wherein the extension spring has a lower end attached to thepiston and an upper end fixed to a top inner wall of the air pressurecylinder; and at least one timer-controller electrically connected via asub-power switch to the power generating assembly for controlling theoperations of the two NO solenoid valves and the two NC solenoid valves,wherein when the water supply valve and the vacuum valve are closed andall except at most one of the NO solenoid valves and the NC solenoidvalves are set to open, a continuous closed space is formed within theapparatus, which extends from the upward pipeline, through the firstvacuum chamber, the first downward pipeline, the second vacuum chamber,the intermediate water tank, the second downward pipeline, the airpressure cylinder up to the piston, and to the return pipeline, wherebyafter a vacuum is created in the continuous closed space and the waterin the main water tank is allowed to enter and propagate through thecontinuous closed space, the water will flow through the upward pipelineto the first vacuum chamber and into the second vacuum chamber throughthe nozzle of the first downward pipeline, and then interact with thepower generating assembly to generate electricity; afterwards the waterwill be directed, through coordinated operations of the NC solenoidvalves and the NO solenoid valves and up-and-down movement of thepiston, to recycle through the continuous closed space to the secondvacuum chamber to interact with the power generating assembly in anothercycle of power generation.
 2. The apparatus for generating electricityas claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum valve is disposed on thesecond vacuum chamber.
 3. The apparatus for generating electricity asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum valve is disposed on the firstvacuum chamber.
 4. The apparatus for generating electricity as claimedin claim 1, wherein the power generating assembly includes a water wheelcorresponding in position to the nozzle of the first downward pipeline,a speed increaser gearbox connected to the water wheel, and a generatorconnected to the speed increaser gearbox.
 5. The apparatus forgenerating electricity as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least onetimer-controller includes a first timer-controller disposed forenergizing or de-energizing the first NC solenoid valve and the first NOsolenoid valve as a group, and a second timer-controller disposed forenergizing or de-energizing the second NC solenoid valve and the secondNO solenoid valve as a group.
 6. The apparatus for generatingelectricity as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first vacuum chamber ispositioned at a height no more than 10.33 meter above the water level inthe main water tank.
 7. The apparatus for generating electricity asclaimed in claim 1, wherein: the upward pipeline connects the main watertank to the first vacuum chamber via one or more height elevatingassemblies, each height elevating assembly comprising: an accessoryvacuum chamber having a bottom side connected to an upward pipeline of anext lower height elevating assembly or, if no lower height elevatingassembly is present, to the upward pipeline from the main water tank; adownward pipeline having an upper end connected to the bottom side ofthe accessory vacuum chamber; an upward pipeline having an upper endconnected to the bottom side of the accessory vacuum chamber of a nexthigher height elevating assembly or, if no higher height elevatingassembly is present, to the bottom side of the first vacuum chamber; areturn pipeline having a first end connected a lower end of the upwardpipeline through a first NC solenoid valve and a second end connected toa lower end of the downward pipeline through a second NC solenoid valve,wherein a first NO solenoid valve and a second NO solenoid valve aredisposed in a middle portion of the return pipeline with the second NOsolenoid valve located between the second NC solenoid valve and thefirst NO solenoid valve along the return pipeline; an air pressurecylinder vertically connected from above to a middle side port of thereturn pipeline, wherein the air pressure cylinder includes therein apiston, an extension spring, and an air hole in communication with theatmosphere, wherein the extension spring has a lower end attached to thepiston and an upper end fixed to a top inner wall of the air pressurecylinder; and at least one timer-controller electrically connected via asub-power switch to the power generating assembly for controlling theoperations of the two NO solenoid valves and the two NC solenoid valves,wherein the continuous closed space further includes internal space ofthe accessory vacuum chamber, the downward pipeline, the returnpipeline, the air pressure cylinder and the upward pipeline of theheight elevating assembly.
 8. A method of generating electricity usingatmospheric pressure and vacuum, comprising the following steps in suchorder: (a) providing an apparatus as claimed in claim 1; (b) closing thewater supply valve of the upward pipeline and opening the first NCsolenoid valve and/or the second NC solenoid valve while keeping the twoNO solenoid valves open so that the continuous closed space is formed inthe apparatus; (c) connecting an external vacuum pump to the vacuumvalve and operating the vacuum pump to create a vacuum in the continuousclosed space in the apparatus; (d) disconnecting the vacuum pump,closing the vacuum valve, and then opening the water supply valve of theupward pipeline, upon which water flows from the main water tank throughthe water supply valve and propagates through the continuous closedspace while pushing upward the piston in the air pressure cylinder,until water in the intermediate water tank reaches a preset level; (e)closing the water supply valve, returning the two NC solenoid valves totheir respective NO status, and switching the apparatus' operation to anauto mode by setting power source for the liquid level probe and the atleast one timer-controller to the sub-power switch so that the liquidlevel probe and the at least one timer-controller are powered by thesub-power switch; (f) performing a power generation cycle by controllingthe operations of the two NC solenoid valves and the two NO solenoidvalves in the following sequence: (1) using the at least onetimer-controller to open the first NC solenoid valve and close the firstNO solenoid valve, upon which the piston in the air pressure cylinder ispushed down and the extension spring is stretched by air enteringthrough the air hole of the air pressure cylinder to drive the water inthe air pressure cylinder out into the return pipeline, then through thereturn pipeline, the upward pipeline, the first vacuum chamber and intothe second vacuum chamber to interact with the power generating assemblyto generate electricity; (2) after a time period T1, using the at leastone timer-controller to close the first NC solenoid valve and open thefirst NO solenoid valve; (3) after a time period T2, using the at leastone timer-controller to open the second NC solenoid valve and close thesecond NO solenoid valve, upon which the water flows from theintermediate water tank through the second downward pipeline and thesecond NC solenoid valve into the return pipeline to reach the second NOsolenoid valve; (4) after a time period T3, using the at least onetimer-controller to close the second NC solenoid valve and open thesecond NO solenoid valve, upon which the water flows through the two NOsolenoid valves and enters the air pressure cylinder, pushing up thepiston and retuning the extension spring to its original state; (5)waiting for a time period T4 for step (4) to run its course; and (g)repeating step (e).
 9. The method of generating electricity as claimedin claim 8, wherein the water flows downward from the first vacuumchamber by action of gravity only.
 10. The method of generatingelectricity as claimed in claim 8, wherein the vacuum valve is disposedon the second vacuum chamber.
 11. The method of generating electricityas claimed in claim 8, wherein the power generating assembly includes awater wheel corresponding in position to the nozzle of the firstdownward pipeline, a speed increaser gearbox connected to the waterwheel, and a generator connected to the speed increaser gearbox, and thewater flowing from the first vacuum chamber and through the nozzle ofthe first downward pipeline strikes the water wheel to rotate the waterwheel along with the generator to generate electricity.
 12. The methodof generating electricity as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at leastone timer-controller includes a first timer-controller disposed forenergizing or de-energizing the first NC solenoid valve and the first NOsolenoid valve as a group, and a second timer-controller disposed forenergizing or de-energizing the second NC solenoid valve and the secondNO solenoid valve as a group.
 13. The method of generating electricityas claimed in claim 8, wherein T1 is no longer than 1 second, T2 isabout 2 seconds, T3 is about 2 seconds, and T4 is about 2 seconds. 14.The method of generating electricity as claimed in claim 8, wherein thefirst vacuum chamber is positioned at a height no more than 10.33 meterabove the main water tank.